Blue Zone Research Paper

Introduction Unveiling the secrets of Longevity: Blue Zones offer the ideal outline for not only a healthier but also a happier America. Imagine creating an environment where well-being and vitality are the social norms, where communities and individuals alike will flourish. The principles of the Blue Zones will reveal and allow us to crack the code on longevity here in the United States, enabling healthy aging to be not a dream, but a reality for all. This essay is designed for those who want to improve their well-being and longevity, guiding the individual through the importance of the Blue Zones practices. At the end of this essay, the reader will be guided through a step-by-step process of establishing their own home, Blue Zone, to emulate …show more content…
It is obtained through healthy habits and a social lifestyle, as the Blue Zones Power 9 exemplifies. History of the United States "The prevalence of obesity changed relatively little during the 1960s and 1970s, but it increased sharply over the ensuing decades—from 13.4% in 1980 to 34.3%" (Office of the Surgeon General). The most plausible explanation for the rise of obesity in the U.S. in 1980 was the increase of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). However, the negative influence of UPFs on an individual's health extends far beyond just obesity; cancer, cardiovascular disease, and depression have also been proven to be effects of UPFs that are still very prominent today. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, "about half of the U.S. population will have obesity, and about a quarter will have severe obesity by 2030" (Nicole). Unlike in the Blue Zones, America has unlimited access to UPFs, whether from fast food restaurants next to work or a quick snack of Lays chips. In the Blue Zones, that is anything but the case; individuals grow their food or get it from their neighbors. Additionally, the act of maintaining a garden or kneading your bread achieves the goal of the Power 9 characteristic of Moving Naturally. In the U.S., it …show more content…
Through the course of my research, I wanted to discover the why behind the long life span and to evaluate what can be done here in the U.S. to create your own mini Blue Zone. Here in the U.S., as previously mentioned, 23 of adults are either obese or overweight, with heart disease being prevalent in the U.S. population. Our longevity is only around 25% due to genetic factors (Passarino et al). That leaves the other 75% of the cause for longevity in our environment. This led me to research the why, which led to my discovery of the Power 9 and the accessibility to creating your own Blue Zone here in the U.S. Pros There are many pros to incorporating the Power 9 into your daily life, one obviously being the increase in longevity but also increasing your chance at healthy aging. Incorporating the practices will give an individual the power to control their lives and hopefully allow them to find their purpose and make the most of their time. Another benefit is the reduced cost of health care. Incorporating the Power 9 would allow individuals to shift from secondary treatment to preventive measures, saving individuals up to 40% on their health-related costs, as previously stated in the Albert Lea case study. Aging tends to have a negative stigma surrounding the

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